SEPT. 2.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1581

Eastern extreme of Low Clifty Point 97° 30′, Green Light Steamer Pier, 25° 52′ gate of boathouse on extreme of Government House Pier.

The top mark will be painted with luminous paint, and a light will be shown occasionally from the beacon when large vessels are leaving the port.

A white cask-buoy now marks the 4½-fathom patch mentioned in Notice to Mariners No. 125, of 1897.

Charts and books affected:—Chart 1757: Sailing Directions—Pacific Islands, Vol. ii., page 115.

(“Lizard,” Note No. 1, 22nd May, 1897; Office No. 8⅞.)

CYPRIAN A. G. BRIDGE,
Rear Admiral.

AUSTRALIAN STATION.

“Orlando,” at Sydney, 7th July, 1897.

(Hydrographic Notice No. 40.)

1.—Cleveland Bay, Queensland.

When proceeding from Cape Cleveland to the anchorage off Townsville, H.M.S. “Karrakatta” found less water than shown in the Admiralty charts, and ships are accordingly cautioned.

Charts Nos. 1102, 2349, 348.

Australia Directory, Vol. ii., page 290.

(“Karrakatta,” Note No. 1, 3rd June, 1897; Office No. 8⅘.)

2.—Depth of Water in Hobson’s Bay.

Information has been received that the channel to Port Melbourne Pier has silted up, and that the least water, with the leading-marks in line, is now 26 ft.

Chart No. 624.

(Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners, 11th June, 1897, No. 603/97; Office No. 8½.)

3.—Santa Cruz.

The mound upon which the Goodenough Cross is erected has been whitewashed, and forms a good mark for this part of the coast. H.M.S. “Rapid,” found that, with the Cross bearing south, there was a passage through the reefs with not less than 6½ fathoms.

Chart No. 17.

Sailing Directions: Pacific Islands, Vol. i., Part i., page 344.

4.—Reef Islands.

H.M.S. “Rapid” reports that several of the Reef Islands, and also Tinacula, appear to be to the eastward of their position as shown on chart No. 17; that Nibanga does not appear to exist; that Lomlom and Banepi appear to be one island; that there is a deep passage between Fenualoa and Lomlom; that anchorage was found in 27 fathoms off south-west end of Lomlom, one cable from the shore and half a cable from fringing reef.

Chart No. 17.

Sailing Directions: Pacific Islands, Vol. i. Part i., page 351.

5.—Marau Sound, Guadalcanar.

A beacon with staff marks the eastern extremity of the reef which extends from the east point of Somayu Island.

Chart No. 880.

6.—Florida Island.

Barrango Island and Thumb Rock are charted 1 mile different in longitude in charts Nos. 97 and 1469.

(“Rapid,” Note No. 1, 21st June, 1897; Office No. 8¼.)

(Hydrographic Notice No. 41.)

5.—Princess Royal Harbour, Albany.

Australian Station Hydrographic Notices Nos. 31 and 35 are hereby cancelled, and the following information promulgated:—

(1.) Two red leading-lights have been placed on the town pier, Princess Royal Harbour: they are shown from posts about 110 yards apart, and when in line N. 44° W. (approximate) lead up to the pier in the deepest water.

(2.) The fairway is now marked by the following buoys: A red cask-buoy lies N. 41° W., 1·9 cables, from south end of Railway Pier; a red cask-buoy lies in 19 ft., S. 47° E., 1·9 cables, from end of town pier; a black cask-buoy lies in 15 ft., S. 42° E., 3·1 cables, from end of town pier; a black cask-buoy lies in 16 ft., S. 26° E., 4·6 cables, from end of town pier; a black cask-buoy lies S. 23° E., 9·3 cables, from town pier.

(3.) Four coal-hulks are moored in the anchorage, the northernmost one being approximately west 3·6 cables from end of railway pier.

(4.) Vessels are not allowed to anchor in the fairway, and the leading-lights on the town pier should be well open to the southward before anchoring.

Charts: Nos. 1418 and 2619.

Sailing Directions: Australia, Vol. i., 1897, page 89.

Notice to Mariners No. 683, of 1896.

‘Orlando,’ No. 121, 10th July, 1897; Office No. 8⅘.)

3.—New Hebrides.

A bank, consisting of sand and lava stones, is reported awash to the northward of Laika Bank, New Hebrides: it appears to have been thrown up by a volcano which was in eruption in June, 1897.

The approximate position of the bank is latitude 16° 49′ 50″ S., longitude 168° 32′ 13″ E.

Charts: Nos. 2226, 1570, 1380.

Sailing Directions: Pacific Islands, Vol. i., page 301; Pacific Islands, Vol. i., Part ii., page 224.

(“Tauranga,” Note No. 1, 21st June, 1897; Office No. 8⅞.)

5.—Inner Route, Torres Straits.

A. A 5-fathom patch lies in latitude 13° 25′ 50″ S., and longitude 143° 41′ 20″ E., and from it Ellis Island beacon bears N. 12° W., 4·2 miles; Heath Rocks beacon bears S. 26° W., 2·5 miles; Morris Island bushes bear S. 25° E., 3·4 miles.

NOTE.—These distances are correct, but do not agree with the published chart.

B. A 4½-fathom patch lies N. 29° W., 2 cables, and a 5-fathom patch N. 15° E., 2 cables, from that mentioned in paragraph a.

Charts: Nos. 2921 and 2764.

Sailing Directions: Australia, Vol. ii., page 370.

(“Dart,” Note No. 2, 21st July, 1897; Office No. 8⅘.)

CYPRIAN A. G. BRIDGE,
Rear Admiral.

To the respective captains, commanders, and officers commanding Her Majesty’s ships and vessels on the Australian Station.

New Zealand Hemp.—Notice No. 478.

Department of Agriculture,
Wellington, 30th March, 1897.

THE time for receiving applications for the bonuses mentioned in Notice No. 430 has been extended to 31st December, 1897.

JOHN MCKENZIE,
Minister for Agriculture.

Bonuses for Encouragement of New Zealand Hemp (Phormium tenax) Industry.—Notice No. 430.

Department of Agriculture,
Wellington, 1st November, 1895.

Bonus No. 1.

A BONUS of £1,750 is offered for a machine or process for dressing New Zealand hemp (Phormium tenax) which shall be an improvement on the machines or processes now in use, and which shall, after trial, be found to materially reduce the cost of production, improve the product, or increase the quantity of dressed fibre.

The following are the conditions:—

1. All applications for the bonus must be sent addressed to the Hon. the Minister for Agriculture, Wellington, and must reach him not later than the 31st December, 1897. Each application must be accompanied by a description of the machine or process, particularly stating improvements on present machines or processes, and also the cost at which the machine or process can be supplied.

2. The applicants must be prepared to submit their machines or processes to examination at such time and place as the Government may direct.

3. The Government shall appoint a committee of three or more experts, to whom all applications shall be submitted. Such committee shall, after perusal, state what machines or processes they deem worthy of consideration, and may inspect the same at any place within the colony; and, having so inspected the whole or any of them, may direct that the whole or any of them be brought for further trial to such place as they may think fit.

The cost of bringing the machines or appliances on to the ground, from within the colony, supplying the necessary shafting, motive-power, and buildings, to be defrayed by the Government. If any machine sent from beyond the colony is awarded the bonus or part thereof, then the cost of bringing such machine shall be borne by the Government.

The following shall be the basis of the test:—

The committee shall supply a sufficient and equal quantity of green hemp to each machine or process as a test. The committee shall take into consideration—

The time occupied by each machine or process in the operation;

The cost of labour and time required after the fibre has left the machine or process before it is ready for baling;

The percentage of dressed fibre and tow produced by each machine or process;

The cost of producing the same;

The cost of the machine, and the simplicity and durability of the working parts.